She grew up in Castello di Croce, Marches of Ancona, Italy.
Confirmed on 7 July 1880.In 1884 she briefly attended school, learning to read and write; she received no further education.
On 2 March 1897 she suddenly received an understanding of her call to religious life.
Made her first vows with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Rome on 5 May 1898.
Moved to Florence on 3 January 1902.
On 1 January 1904 she puts in a request to go to China to work at a leper colony.Her request was approved; she left Naples for China on 19 March 1904, and arrived in Tong-Eul-Keou on 18 June 1904.
She served several months as a cook in the orphanage there.
In early April 1905 a wave of deadly typhus ran through the house.
When one of her sisters appeared about to die, Sister Mary Assunta asked that she be taken instead; her prayer was granted.